The second part of Friday's Western Cape electricity bill public hearing was marred by confusion and mayhem.
- The penultimate public hearing on the powers bill was adjourned.
- Political parties and civil society groups were prevented from entering.
- Angry members broke down the main steel door in an attempt to gain entry.
The penultimate stage of public hearings on the DA's controversial Western Cape Powers Bill was called off after angry political party and civil society members were prevented from entering.
On Friday afternoon, hours before the hearing, political parties and lobby groups were barred from entering due to capacity issues.
About 300 people were waiting to enter.
Angry political parties and civil society members attempted to enter parliament and destroyed the steel main entrance to parliament.
Outside parliament, EFF members, lobby groups, pro-Palestinian supporters and ANC members filled the streets.
Inside parliament, the ANC voiced its opposition to the upcoming public hearings as public access was not allowed.
Nomi Nkondolo of the ANC said: “The decision to postpone this hearing is first and foremost because of the need to hold this hearing in such a small venue on a matter of public interest of this nature. “The decision was to hold a public hearing.” In a community that can allow people to come. ”
Nkondolo accused prosecutors of failing to recognize their constitutional responsibility to open parliament to the public.
“The other venues where these public hearings were held were very small and this issue affects all residents, so we did not expect this many people to turn out. “It was foolish to bring 150 people together to do this because it affects everyone,” she said.
A confrontation with prosecutors ensued as angry political parties and civil society members waited. Activists and political parties shouted “vocek da” and prosecutors shouted “da, da, da”.
The Western Cape provincial legislature has steadfastly moved forward with the legislative process for this bill, despite concerns raised by two legal opinions received from the provincial legislature.
Also read | Prosecutor says 'we will not be intimidated by corrupt ANC' after Powers bill hearing chaos
Through this bill, the Western Cape government asserts existing provincial and local powers, while asserting the powers of the police, public transport, energy (including generation, transmission and distribution networks), trade (including generation, transmission and distribution networks). ) intends to seek the delegation or assignment of additional authority in areas such as: international trade), ports (including national ports).
The DA has previously held several public hearings across the state.
The last scheduled public hearing was scheduled to be held in Beaufort West on Monday.
Isaac Shirek, chairman of the Select Committee on the Powers Bill, told News24: “Considering the safety of people and ensuring no loss of life, we have decided to postpone the hearing. We will schedule another date,” Metro heard. ”